One of the key causes of tired, dull skin? Dryness or dehydration. A common skin concern, dry or dehydrated skin can be caused by a multiplicity of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and environment. Over time, prolonged dry skin can lead to transepidermal water loss as well as an impaired skin barrier, resulting in reduced skin elasticity which leads to lacklustre skin, fine lines and wrinkles, flaking, and sensitisation.
The skincare ingredients used to tackle dry skin typically fall into three categories; humectants, emollients, and occlusives.
What are humectants, emollients, and occlusives?
Humectants
Humectants work by attracting water molecules. They draw water upwards from the lower layers of the skin to the dehydrated upper levels, as well as attract water molecules from the air and lock them into the skin.
Examples of humectants: hyaluronic acid, glycerin
Emollients
Emollients “are long chains of saturated fatty acids and can use their skin-identical lipid properties to form a waterproof barrier in the upper layers of the skin,” Daniel Isaacs, director of research at Medik8. “This helps to repair the skin’s barrier function which is essential for keeping skin healthy-looking and hydrated.”
Examples of emollients: squalane, ceramides
Occlusives
Occlusives are larger molecules that don’t penetrate the skin, instead sitting atop it to form a physical barrier between the skin and the environment. This helps maintain water content in the skin and prevent transepidermal water loss.
Examples of occlusives: beeswax, petroleum jelly, jojoba oil, lanolin, mineral oil, dimethicone
How to tackle dry and dehydrated skin
For total moisturisation, the skin requires all three components. Medik8 H.E.O Mask combines humectants, emollients, and occlusives in the correct ratio to tackle dry and dehydrated skin overnight.
Multiweight hyaluronic acid and glycerin draw water to the skin, while natural moisturising factors like urea and amino acids bind and hold water in the upper layers of the skin. Ceramides, squalane and linoleic acid work to strengthen and nourish the skin’s lipid barrier with their emollient properties, while occlusive dimethicone creates a breathable shield to prevent transepidermal water loss.
Designed to be used overnight (on its own or after serums), the Medik8 H.E.O Mask is a two step process, consisting of a humectant gel and emollient and occlusive cream.
Medik8 H.E.O Mask
Words by Esmé Duggan
